Recent Comments by Ufez Jones

NFL Pickem Week 13: Turkey Bowl Time

Revised picks:

Falcons by 6
Bengals by 9
Vikings by 10 (lock)
Patriots by 4
Seahawks by 8
Commanders by 9
Texans by 14 (lock)
Saints by 6
Buccaneers by 11 (lock)
Ravens by 9
Bills by 17 (lock)
Broncos by 4

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:50 AM on December 01, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 13: Turkey Bowl Time

My picks:

Lions by 19 (lock)
Cowboys by 6
Dolphins by 7
Chiefs by 24 (lock)

Wishing all of the USian SpoFites a Happy Thanksgiving from chilly but beautiful Montreal.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:17 AM on November 28, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 6: Six Games No Turkeys

My picks:

Heat by 4
Lakers by 11 (slam dunk)
Knicks by 5
Warriors by 7
Timberwolves by 3
Lakers by 6

I guess you could say we all got Thunderstruck.

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:35 PM on November 26, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 12: Jerryworld is Falling Apart

My picks:

Vikings by 7
Lions by 17 (lock)
Dolphins by 10 (lock)
Buccaneers by 17 (lock)
Commanders by 11 (lock)
Chiefs by 23 (lock)
Texans by 14 (lock)
Broncos by 8
Packers by 4
Seahawks by 5
Rams by 3
Ravens by 10

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:38 PM on November 22, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 5: Cavaliers Go for 16-0

Revised picks:

Thunder by 16 (slam dunk)

Well, scratch what I just said. In texting my Thunder friend I just learned Wemby is out tonight with a knee contusion. That's a bummer.

posted by Ufez Jones at 07:44 PM on November 19, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 5: Cavaliers Go for 16-0

I know the undefeated Cavs going into the Gahh-den is the headliner tonight (and it should be a great game), but I'm really looking forward to seeing how the OKC Thunder, who I believe don't have an active player over 6'9", are going to defend Wemby.

I still think they have enough firepower to win the game, but a swarm of Lu Dort, Cason Wallace, and J-Dub is going to be fun to watch.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:36 PM on November 19, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 5: Cavaliers Go for 16-0

My picks:

Cavaliers by 3
Thunder by 7
Bucks by 6
Knicks by 11 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 14 (slam dunk)
Mavericks by 7

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:22 PM on November 19, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 11: Is This Detroit's Year?

My picks:

Eagles by 6
Bears by 3
Lions by 15 (lock)
Vikings by 9
Dolphins by 7
Rams by 4
Saints by 8 (lock)
Jets by 5
Ravens by 7
Falcons by 4
49ers by 9 (lock)
Bills by 6
Bengals by 8
Texans by 17 (lock)

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:05 PM on November 14, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 4: Let There Be Cup

My brain is doing the Dave Letterman "Uma, Oprah; Oprah, Uma" bit, but with "Edey, AD; AD, Edey".

Also, was there a glitch in the matrix that allowed Howard to pick Houston in Friday's Lakers/Spurs game?

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:37 PM on November 13, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 4: Let There Be Cup

My picks:

Knicks by 14 (slam dunk)
Mavericks by 5
Thunder by 14 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 5
Lakers by 12 (slam dunk)
Warriors by 6

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:39 AM on November 12, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 3: The Warriors Are Good Again?

Hahahaha, well, I walked right into that one.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:23 PM on November 06, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 3: The Warriors Are Good Again?

My picks:

Celtics by 9 (slam dunk)
Clippers by 7
Mavericks by 8
Lakers by 15 (slam dunk)

Count me among those that think the Warriors have benefited from a soft opening schedule. Their upcoming stretch of @Bos/@Cle/@OKC/vs. Dal/vs. Mem will be a good opportunity for them to prove they belong in the conversation.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:41 PM on November 06, 2024

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

I was down in Tulsa visiting the Okie State-alum folks last week and watched about 75% of that pisspoor excuse of a Comehoming Game with them. Gundy's team appears to have completely quit on him. One of Arizona State's touchdown's could've been stopped if the safety had just bothered to push the runner six inches out of bounds. Just no effort whatsoever.

It's nice that he's deflecting criticism from his players, as he's always kind of famously done, but it's gotta be getting old. $25 milli will get you a real nice retirement palace on your choice of a number of lakes in the area.

I can't imagine Ollie Gordon is sleeping real well with his decision to come back for another season.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:19 PM on November 05, 2024

NBA Pickem Week 2: Paolo in the Zone

My picks:

Mavericks by 6
Pelicans by 5
Celtics by 11
Thunder by 13 (slam dunk)
Cavaliers by 8
Timberwolves by 8 (slam dunk)

I like Paolo quite a bit, but I think you owe Wemby a Je m'excuse, rcade.

I'm trying to picture any game that I wouldn't pick a healthy Celtics squad. At OKC is the only edge-case at the moment, but even then I'd have to think about it real hard. I likened their performance on opening night to "watching a fucking video game". They are ridiculous when they get rolling.

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:23 PM on October 29, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 8: The Running Back is Back

My picks:

Vikings by 9 (lock)
Bengals by 7
Ravens by 14 (lock)
Lions by 13 (lock)
Cardinals by 7
Jets by 6
Buccaneers by 8
Packers by 10
Texans by 14 (lock)
Chargers by 8
Bills by 7 (lock)
Broncos by 6
Chiefs by 17 (lock)
Bears by 4
49ers by 8
Steelers by 8

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:22 PM on October 24, 2024

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

The NBA has unveiled this year's court designs for the NBA Cup and most of them appear to be slightly less migraine-inducing than last season's (Thank Dirk). Philly and New Orleans really stand out as nice designs, IMO.

Speaking of, the tourney starts the week of Nov 11th. I don't know how much of a pain it would be on rcade's end, but does anyone (else) have any interest in adding a "Select the Cup Winner" prop to the NBA Pick 'Em before those games officially begin?

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:59 PM on October 24, 2024

Enter the NBA Pickem

My picks:

Celtics by 7
Lakers by 5
Bucks by 8
Suns by 12 (slam dunk)
Mavericks by 8 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 6
Pacers by 4
Suns by 9

Boy am I glad the League is back and I can stop pretending I care about other things.

Enjoy the ceremony and game tonight, Howard!

posted by Ufez Jones at 04:55 PM on October 22, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 7: Can Stop the Jaguars

My picks:

Patriots by 4
Bills by 9 (lock)
Texans by 6
Giants by 3
Vikings by 6
Falcons by 8 (lock)
Bengals by 10 (lock)
Colts by 8
Commanders by 14 (lock)
Rams by 7
Chiefs by 3
Steelers by 9
Ravens by 6
Cardinals by 4

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:07 PM on October 18, 2024

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

The Cleveland Browns fire sale has officially begun with Amari Cooper going to the Bills for a 3rd Rounder.

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:58 PM on October 15, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 6: Can't Stop the Jaguars

Revised picks:

Texans by 7
Ravens by 14 (lock)
Eagles by 10
Packers by 3
Saints by 5
Titans by 6
Chargers by 7
Steelers by 6
Lions by 6
Falcons by 8 (lock)
Bengals by 6
Bills by 13 (lock)

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:18 PM on October 13, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 6: Can't Stop the Jaguars

My picks:

Seahawks by 3

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:02 PM on October 10, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 5: Davante on the Block

Happy 70th, ic23b!

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:28 PM on October 04, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 5: Davante on the Block

My picks:

Falcons by 6
Vikings by 14 (lock)
Bears by 8
Ravens by 7
Patriots by 3
Commanders by 3
Colts by 7
Texans by 3
Broncos by 6
49ers by 6
Rams by 3
Seahawks by 13 (lock)
Steelers by 6
Chiefs by 7

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:02 PM on October 03, 2024

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

Rest In Peace, Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukamba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo. In his memory, let's revisit his 1998 appearance on Late Night with Conan O'Brien. Skip to the 5:00 mark if you want to go straight to the Helium-assisted Curly Howard impression.

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:47 PM on September 30, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 4: Washington Has a Quarterback

My picks:

Cowboys by 3
Falcons by 6
Rams by 10 (lock)
Packers by 4
Steelers by 6
Jets by 9 (lock)
Eagles by 5
Bengals by 8
Texans by 10
Cardinals by 8 (lock)
49ers by 9
Raiders by 3
Chiefs by 8
Ravens by 3
Dolphins by 4
Lions by 11 (lock)

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:12 PM on September 26, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 3: Run the Ball Nick Edition

Revised picks:

Browns by 6
Packers by 3
Colts by 4
Texans by 6
Saints by 6
Chargers by 4
Buccaneers by 9 (lock)
Raiders by 5
Seahawks by 6
Cowboys by 3
Rams by 7
Lions by 8
Chiefs by 6
Bills by 11
Bengals by 10

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:15 AM on September 22, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 3: Run the Ball Nick Edition

My picks:

Jets by 7

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:25 AM on September 19, 2024

NFL Pickem Week 2: Aaron Says Relax Edition

My picks:

Dolphins by 6
Cowboys by 7
Lions by 4
Colts by 3
Titans by 3
49ers by 7
Seahawks by 6
Commanders by 5
Chargers by 9
Jaguars by 7
Ravens by 13 (lock)
Rams by 5
Steelers by 6
Chiefs by 8
Texans by 11 (lock)
Eagles by 12 (lock)

posted by Ufez Jones at 04:49 PM on September 12, 2024

Bodycam Footage of Cops Arresting Tyreek Hill

I very seriously doubt it, but I do hope that any Dolphins fans who found themselves upset over this incident but also shit-talked Colin Kaepernick are using this as a moment of reflection.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:54 AM on September 11, 2024

The NFL Pickem is Back

My picks:

Ravens by 6
Eagles by 3
Steelers by 4
Bills by 8
Bears by 4
Bengals by 8 (lock)
Texans by 9 (lock)
Dolphins by 4
Saints by 6
Vikings by 8
Chargers by 7
Seahawks by 6
Browns by 3
Buccaneers by 4
Lions by 6
49ers by 11 (lock)

My picks in a nutshell: I saw the Commanders @ Bucs matchup and thought "I don't know that I can confidently name a single player on either team going into this season".

So here we go.

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:32 PM on September 05, 2024

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

I'm not going to say too much about it since I figure some folks are waiting for the prime time replay, but mon Dieu, that was a *fantastic* Opening Ceremony.

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:37 PM on July 26, 2024

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

One Republic, NoMich, who tbh I'm not particularly familiar with.

He's got a pretty impressive list of production credits to boot. Must be some kind of life.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:43 PM on July 14, 2024

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

That the kid I cracked jokes with in 4th and 5th grades turned out to be the lead singer of a band large enough to play events like the Opening Ceremony of the Euro Final will forever trip me out . Good on ya, Ryan T.

Fairly entertaining chess match so far. Plenty of movement up and down the field. I feel like Spain is gonna cash one of those corners in eventually, though.

posted by Ufez Jones at 03:47 PM on July 14, 2024

NBA Playoff Pickem Champion: ic23b

Down with the ship!

Congrats, ic23b, and to Howard and the rest of the Celtics fans too (I suppose).

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:41 PM on July 10, 2024

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Today is one of those days that working from home really shines. Both of today's Euro Quarterfinals matches should be pretty fun.

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:50 AM on July 05, 2024

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

Of the top 6 taken in last night's draft, 3 are from France, including the first 2 picks, and only 2 from the college ranks.

Half-tuning into the draft coverage last night, it sounds like this isn't just going to be a one-off thing either. There is apparently a large pool of talent emerging in France. This class will serve as an interesting experiment in how NBA-ready that talent actually is (Wemby doesn't count, ofc).

I'd like to think this also serves as a slight tip in the favor of sanity in the ongoing public back and forth between Mbappe/Thuram and the right-wing National Rally Party, but I have no idea if the NBA draft really registers for the public over there, especially in the middle of Euro 2024.

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:25 PM on June 27, 2024

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

My favorite scenario is the one where Boston, who picks just before the Lakers, scoops him up and fleeces the Busses out of an extra future pick or two just for shits and giggles. The resulting chess match would be pretty fascinating.

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:07 PM on June 27, 2024

SportsFilter: The Thursday Huddle

Somewhere in Eastern Oklahoma, former Grizz Center Bryant "Big Country" Reeves is smiling contently thinking "This...this is my legacy".

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:14 AM on June 27, 2024

Florida Panthers Win Stanley Cup

Big month for Chaminade College Prep School out in the Western STL Suburbs, where Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk were once classmates.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:27 PM on June 25, 2024

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

I hope NBC sends Snoop to Paris to cover the Olympics. I've really enjoyed his bits during the Track & Field Trials.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:23 PM on June 23, 2024

Giants Legend Willie Mays Dies at 93

Here we go: Willie Mays Blasting Caps Spot.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:42 AM on June 20, 2024

Lots of Grousing About Refs as Celtics Take 3-0 Finals Lead

Well, that was very satisfying.

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:34 PM on June 14, 2024

Lots of Grousing About Refs as Celtics Take 3-0 Finals Lead

I'm of two minds about Luka getting tossed last night: On the one hand, there is a tacit understanding in the NBA that sixth fouls are pretty damned difficult to earn in playoff games, so much so that I can recall Mavs' fans collective bootyholes pucker every time Lu Dort came back into the game with five fouls, assuming he'd get a few extra shots in before any ref would even raise a whistle to their lips. So it certainly felt like a huge break in protocol in the moment.

On the other hand: I'm not trying to add to the ongoing Luka dogpile too much, but he really has got to learn how to save his outrage for after the game. It wouldn't surprise me one bit to learn that Jaylen Brown went right at him on that drive figuring that he had a pretty good shot at getting a sloppy attempt at a charge as a result of Luka's mind being distracted and his reaction a half-step late. I'm also convinced that some significant portion of his injuries have been prolonged and/or exacerbated by some of the more outlandish foul-bait attempts. Maybe getting tossed in front of (most of) the 2011 Championship Squad *and* the Prime Minister of Slovenia will push him there. We can hope.

Overall I don't know that the reffing has been biased so much as just inconsistent within the games, which is really frustrating. Definitely feels like we've seen a lot of ticky-tack fouls one minute only to let someone get shoved out of the paint and into the third row during a rebound like they're in the pit at a Slayer show the next. For whatever it's worth, the Mavs have attempted six more free throws total in the three games, so it's not like we're seeing some kind of D-Wade getting 46(!) FTA's in two games in the '05 Finals-level bullshit or anything.

It was pretty amusing to see the ref completely ignore Derrick White intentionally try to foul on the inbound play at the end of the fourth last night. It's not often you see a basketball complain to the refs about not getting a whistle blown on them. Fortunately for Boston, Timmy Hardaway Jr. was the recipient of that inbound pass and he hasn't hit a field goal since game 6 vs. OKC back on May 18th, so one could argue the refs were doing them a solid on that one.

But really, I don't think it matters. This Boston team is incredibly good, and I'm not sure they're going to get the full respect they deserve for this run. They have four or five future Hall of Famers, two that are on the upswing of their primes, and are very well-coached and well-disciplined. And hoo-boy do they close out quarters well, something the Mavericks had been excelling at up until this series. I doubt there's another team in the West this year that would've fared much better (last season's Nuggets would have mad for a very fun Finals, but they didn't seem to have that same hunger this year for whatever reason; this Celtics squad would have cooked cooked the T-Wolves or OKC had either of them made the finals).

Okay, thank you for coming to my TED Talk.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:25 PM on June 13, 2024

SportsFilter: The Wednesday Huddle

Always pay for the ferry.

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:29 PM on June 13, 2024

NBA Playoff Pickem: NBA Finals

My picks:

Mavericks in 6
Top point scorer: Luka Doncic
Top rebounder: Dereck Lively II
Game 1 winner: Celtics
Team scoring most points in game: Celtics
Series MVP: Luka Doncic
Top fouler: Daniel Gafford
Top three-point shooter: Jaylen Brown
Winning team points last game: 119

Paisley the Lob Goblin is ready to rumble!

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:46 PM on June 05, 2024

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Yeah, I'm grateful that several Mavs have some extra time to heal up but I may start getting a little twitchy come Monday night.

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:57 PM on May 31, 2024

SportsFilter: The Friday Huddle

Sorry Seattle, we need to put an NBA team in Halifax. For reasons.

posted by Ufez Jones at 05:25 PM on May 31, 2024

SportsFilter: The Sunday Huddle

I can't say I'm looking forward to Boston's fans taking their years-old grievances out on their former players.

Dwight Powell deserves better than that.

posted by Ufez Jones at 10:33 AM on May 27, 2024

NBA Playoff Pickem Round 3: Conference Finals

My picks:

Celtics in 6
Mavericks in 6
Top point scorer: Jayson Tatum
Top rebounder: Daniel Gafford
Most points per game: Celtics
Team giving up fewest points: Mavericks

Let's Go Mavs!

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:44 PM on May 21, 2024

NBA Playoff Pickem Round 3: Conference Finals

Congrats to Howard for being the only one to get all four Conference Finals teams correct!

This has been a good year to be a Dallas homer.

It has, but I'm not feeling lucky enough to take a player that was eliminated in the first round on one of the props (might want to rethink that Bobby Portis pick, rcade).

posted by Ufez Jones at 02:26 PM on May 21, 2024

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

And the Rangers are reigning World Series Champs!

Your move, Jerry.

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:59 AM on May 19, 2024

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

It was a really fun series and game 6 with a bit of a meh ending, but Tony Brothers is gonna Tony Brothers.

The final cumulative score of the series: Mavericks 636, Thunder 636. I would be very happy for these two to face each other again next year and really develop a rivalry.

Also, it looks like the powers that be were able to get the Mavs Games and Stars Games a bit more staggered for the Conference Finals, which is nice personally. It's neat and all to have the option to be able to stream a 2nd game on a different device, but I haven't been nearly as engaged with the hockey side of things due to schedule overlap.

posted by Ufez Jones at 08:54 AM on May 19, 2024

SportsFilter: The Saturday Huddle

Dallas is going to the Western Conference Finals!

Dallas is going to the Western Conference Finals!

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:29 PM on May 18, 2024

SportsFilter: The Monday Huddle

If I were one of the projected lottery picks in this Summer's NBA Draft I'd be tempted to start taking the disrespect a little personally. The NBA held the lottery at 3:00 Eastern on Mother's Day afternoon and Adam Silver didn't even bother to show up, sending his deputy commissioner instead.

Then, today, John Hollinger opens his Top 20 Prospect Column (The Athletic; gated) with the following line: "If you're looking for the next Victor Wembanyama, you've come to the wrong place. When it comes to the 2024 NBA Draft, we might not even have the next Victor Oladipo."

Mee-yow.

Congrats to the Hawks on their first lottery win!

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:25 PM on May 13, 2024

NBA Playoff Pickem: Second Round

Revised picks:

Mavericks in 6
Celtics in 5
Top point scorer: Kyrie Irving
Top rebounder: Dereck Lively II
Most points per game: Mavericks

posted by Ufez Jones at 08:31 AM on May 06, 2024

NBA Playoff Pickem: Second Round

My picks:

Nuggets in 7
Knicks in 5
Team scoring 130: Pacers

Let's Go Mavs!

posted by Ufez Jones at 09:39 AM on May 04, 2024

SportsFilter: The Tuesday Huddle

No NBA teams have hit 130 yet, with Indiana and Minnesota tying for closest at 126. That's been a fun prop.

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:27 PM on April 30, 2024

Enter the NBA Playoff Pickem

My picks:

Magic in 6
Suns in 5
Knicks in 7
Nuggets in 6
Mavericks in 5
Pacers in 6
Celtics in 4
Thunder in 5
Top point scorer: Luka Doncic
Top rebounder: Nikola Jokic
Most points per game: Celtics
Team scoring 130: Pacers

posted by Ufez Jones at 12:13 PM on April 20, 2024

NBA Pickem: Final Week Edition

Revised picks:

Knicks by 10 (slam dunk)
Kings by 5
Knicks by 9 (slam dunk)
Pelicans by 7

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:55 PM on April 11, 2024

NBA Pickem: Final Week Edition

My picks:

Celtics by 13 (slam dunk)
Lakers by 9
Mavericks by 7 (slam dunk)
Nuggets by 4

posted by Ufez Jones at 06:34 PM on April 09, 2024